Buffing and polishing wheel



Aug. 6, 1935.

H. F. L. PFOHL 2,010,106

BUFFING AND POLISHING WHEEL F1 Gr. 1.

Filed Feb. 9, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 6.

INVENTOR HAROLD E L. PFOHL Aug. 6, 1935.

H. F. L. PFOHL I BUFFING AND POLISHING WHEEL Filed Feb. 9, 1934 FIG.- 8.

A f v I NvEN'roR 0 HAROLD F. L. PFOH L..-

F1 Gr. FIG. flgroR/vzx Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE9 Claims.

This invention relates to wheels for bumng and polishing which are madeup of layers of fabric, cloth or similar material sewed together andformed into a wheel for mounting on an arbor. The arbor and bufllngwheel are then rotated and various bodies or metals held against theperiphery of said wheel for cutting down the rough surface by bufiingand then obtaining a polished surface.

To obtain the desired cutting and the high luster on the finished pieceby the bufiing wheel, various bumng compositions are used on said wheelfor removing scratches and otherimperfections from the surface. Thebuffing is usually a two wheel operation: the first wheel cutting downto produce a smooth surface and the second wheel .to color for a finalfinish. The bufling composition, usually of a moulded form, is themedium for doing most of the work and being made of combinations ofabrasives and greases of different melting points is taken up by thebufling fabric when held against the rotating wheel to produce thenecessary heat.

A usual form of buifing wheel has been made of separate full disks offabric or clothpiled one upon the other to the desired thickness andsewed in a circular fashion by concentric or spiral rows of sewing. Withthis form of wheel the peripheral edge of each separate disk actssomewhat like a circular saw to cut minute grooves in the work when heldin one position against the wheel. This form of buffing wheel has alsobeen sewed in straight lines across the wheel to form sewed pockets tohelp retain the bufling composition and to break up the sawing effect ofthe disks.

Other methods of building up buffing wheels are by using various shapedpieces of fabric and sewing them together and also combining severalthin wheels to make the ordinary size for thickness.

I have discovered that the ideal way of using fabric for buflingpurposes is to sweep the edge of said fabric fiatwise against the workand at right angles to the present edgewise method which has a tendencyto form grooves.

One object of the present invention is to provide buiiing wheels inwhich the periphery or buffing edge does not follow completely aroundthe wheel to form a continuous cutting edge but is made up of sections,each of which starts from one side of the wheel and forms a continuousedge completely across the wheel to the other side.

Another object is to provide an improved buffing wheel with pockets tohelp retain the bufllng compound.

Another object is to provide an improved buffing wheel which can berotated in one direction for cutting or smoothing and in the oppositedirection for coloring and finishing.

Another object is to. provide an improved construction which iseconomical in manufacture and with a greater operating efficiency.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in certain featuresof novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts bywhich the said objects and certain other objects which will hereinafterappear are attained v the invention being more particularly pointed outin the claims.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a single and complete disk of fabric or othersuitable material from which my preferred improved bufling and polishingwheel can be built up and showing the central hole for an arbor and adotted line on which it is folded as a first operation toward buildingup said wheel.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a doubled half disk made by folding thedisk on the dotted line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a quarter disk of quadruple thicknessmade by folding the half disk on the dotted line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a one-eighth disk of octuple thicknessmade by folding back the doubled edges on the dotted line of Fig. 3 andin opposite directions so the peripheral edge view shows a W orcorrugated shape.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of four of the oneeighth disks of Fig. 4telescoped together to form one quarter of a completed built up bufiingwheel according to my invention.

Fig. 6 shows the W or corrugated form of the peripheral edge view of theone-eighth disk of Fig. 4 and to indicate that in the built up wheel ofFig. 5 each one-eighth disk extends from one side of the buffing wheelto the opposite side of said wheel to make a continuous and unbrokenwiping surface.

Figs. 7 to 16 are views of disks or portions of disks for makingmodifications of bufiing wheels according to my invention:

Fig. 7 being a plan view of a complete disk cut on one radius.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a doubled half disk made by folding thedisk on the cut radius and dotted line of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a quarter disk of quadruple thicknessmade by folding back the cut edges on the dotted line of Fig. 8 and inopposite directions so the peripheral edge view shows a W or corrugatedshape.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a three quarter disk.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a doubled threequarter disk made byfolding the disk on the dotted line of Fig. 10. n

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a three-sixteenths disk of quadruplethickness made by folding back the cut edges on the dotted line of Fig.11 and in opposite directions so the peripheral edge view shows a W orcorrugated shape.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of 3, one-half disk.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a doubled onehalf disk made by foldingthe disk on the dotted line of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a one-eighth disk of quadruplethickness made by folding back the cut edges on the dotted line of Fig.14 and in opposite directions so the peripheral edge view shows a W orcorrugated shape.

Fig. 16 shows the W or corrugated shape of the peripheral edge view ofthe disks of Figs. 9, 12 and 15.

Figs. 17 and 18 are views of another modification in which, Fig. 1'7 isa plan view of a half disk and Fig. 18 a perspective view, more or lessdiagrammatic, of a one-half disk folded on the two dotted radial linesof Fig. 17.

With reference more in detail to the figures of the drawings it will beseen that this invention relates to buffing wheels preferably made up ofsections folded from Whole disks and arranged to interlock or telescopeand be sewed together as in Fig. 5. In Fig. l, I is the disk having aperiphery 2 and a central hole 3. 4 is the dotted line on the diameterof disk I on which it is folded to make the half disk of doublethickness in Fig. 2. 5 is the radial dotted line on which the half diskof Fig. 2 is folded to make the quarter disk of fourfold thickness ofFig. 3. 6 is the radial dotted line in Fig. 3 equally dividing thequarter disk and on which the portions I and 8 are turned back inopposite directions on portions 9 and II] to make the one-eighth disk ofeight fold thickness in Fig. 4. The peripheral edge then of the foldeddisk in Fig. 4 is shown in Fig. 6 and somewhat distended to more clearlyshow its W or corrugated shape and that it forms one pocket I I in theupper part of the W and two pockets I 2, I2 in the opposite direction inthe lower part of the W. The fabric being doubled the pockets II and I2,I2 are doubled pockets.

To build up a buffing wheel from the one-eighth sections as of Fig. 4,sixteen of them are laid around in the from of a wheel and telescoped ornested one-half of the -W or corrugated depth by inserting the pocketportions I2, I2 of one section between the 'I9 and 8I0 portions ofanother section as shown in Fig. 5. The sections are then sewed togetherby lines of sewing I3 (Fig. 5) to form a wheel having 16 thicknesses ofmaterial and the circular peripheral continuity of each thickness isbroken up by the different folds so that in each section it completelycrosses the wheel from one side to the other.

The thickness of the wheel can be regulated by the number of disksfolded together, and in actual practice it is found that a satisfactorythickness is attained by placing two disks together as of Fig. 1. Simplylaying together two disks or fastening as desired, they are folded as inFigs. 2, 3

and 4 and then built up into a wheel as in Fig. 5, making a wheel ofthirty two thicknesses of material. Cover plates of single whole fabricdisks are laid on each side of the built up wheel of Fig. 5 and sewedinto it to help tie the sections together and as indicated on one sideby the dotted circle I4, but as these covers may or may not reach theedge of the circumference of the wheel they are not otherwise shown.

The modification in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 shows a whole disk I5 having aradial cut I6 and a dotted radius I! on which said disk I5 is folded toform the doubled half disk in Fig. 8. The lower quarter portions I8 andI9 having cut radial edges I6 of Fig. 8 are now folded back in oppositedirections on the dotted line 20 to form the quarter disk of fourfoldthickness of Fig. 9 and having a peripheral edge with a w or corrugatedshape illustrated by the elevation of a W in Fig. 16. Or folding disk I5first to bring line I! on to line I6 and second folding on line H tomake I8 and I9 outside layers as in Fig. 9.

The modification in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 shows a disk cut on radial lines2I and leaving out a one-quarter sector of the said disk. It is thenfolded on dotted line 22 of Fig. 10 to form the doubled three-eighthsdisk of Fig. 11. The lower portions 23 and 24 with the cut radial edges2| of Fig. 11 are now folded back in opposite directions on the dottedline 25 to form the threesixteenths disk of fourfold thickness of Fig.12 and having a peripheral edge with a W shape illustrated by theelevation of a W in Fig. 16.

The modification in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 shows a half disk cut from awhole disk on the diameter 26 and folded on the dotted line 2'! of Fig.13 to form the doubled quarter disk of Fig. 14. The lower portions 28and 29 with the cut edges 26 of Fig. 14 are now folded back in oppositedirections on the dotted line 39 to form the one-eighth disk of fourfoldthickness of Fig. 15 and having a peripheral edge with a W shapeillustrated by the elevation of a W in Fig. 16.

In Fig. 16 the W shape of the perpiheral edge of the folded fabriccorresponds to the W shape of Fig. 6 and the different portions are ofsingle thickness and designated at I, 8', 9', II), II, and I2.

The modification shown in Figs. 17 and 18 is made from a half disk cutfrom a whole disk on diameter 38 and folded in a manner to provide an Nor corrugated shape with two pockets pointing in opposite directions. 34and 35 are dotted lines on the plan of the half disk of Fig. 17 dividingit into three equal parts or sectors 3|, 32 and 33. The sectors 32 and33 are folded on opposite sides of sector 3i and on the dotted lines 34and 35 to form the threefold section of Fig. I 8, said section having anN or corrugated shape formed from the peripheral edge of sectors 3I, 32and 33 and having oppositely disposed V shaped pockets 36 and 31.

The half disk of Figs. 17 and 18 can be made from a whole disk andfolded on the line 38. In this case the peripheral edge with the N shapeas formed by 3I, 32 and 33 will show doubled the same as the peripheraledge of the W shape in Fig. 6.

It will be understood that where the folded sections are made from awhole disk as from Fig. 1, there will be no out radial edge but only afolded radial edge as 4 of Fig. 6. Where sections are made from a diskhaving a radial cut as in Fig. 7 or a portion cut out as in Fig. 10,

etc. there will be a raw or cut radial edge as I in Fig. 16.

In building a bufllng wheel according to my invention to be made up ofsections formed from whole disks and folded as in my preferredconstruction and as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, it will be noted that itrequires four operations as in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 to fold a disk to make asection having a periphery with the W shape of Fig. 6 and that each legof the W is of double thickness.

In building a buiilng wheel according to my invention to be made up ofsections formed from disks which are cut on a radius or having portionsout outas in the modifications shown in Figs. 7 to 16, it will be notedthat it requires three operations as in Figs. 8-9, 11-12 and 14-15 tofold a disk or portion of a disk to make a section having a peripherywith the W shape of Fig. 16 and that each leg of the W is of singlethickness. r two operations, as by folding line I! (Fig. 7 on to line Itand then folding on line I1 to make l8 and i9 outside layers as in Fig.9.

In building a bufiing wheel according to my invention to be made up ofsections formed from a half disk as in Figs. 17 and 18 requires but twooperations to form the N shape and each leg being of single thickness.If made of a whole disk and first folded to make the half disk each legwould be of double thickness and have no out radial edge.

To build up a buffing wheel from the sections shown in themodifications, said sections are laid around in the form of a wheel andtelescoped to form a complete wheel as described in reference to thesections of Fig. 4 and shown interlocked in Fig. 5, it being understoodthat sections folded to make one-eighth of a disk and telescoped forone-half the depth require sixteen sections to make a complete wheel,while sections folded to make one-quarter of a disk and telescoped onehalf the depth require only eight sections to complete a wheel.

Referring to the W shape of the folded disk formed to, make a built upwheel with sections, each of which forms a continuous and unbrokenperipheral line from one side of said wheel to the other, it will beseen that said W shape forms a central Docket pointing in one directionand two other pockets formed to point in the opposite direction. Thesepockets which are adapted to receive and retain bufiing composition willtherefore present more of said composition for the buffing and cuttingwhen the wheel rotates in one direction than in the opposite direction,the latter direction of rotation being more adapted for polishing orfinishing.

In a bufling wheel it is important to have the peripheral edge of thewheel flexible enough to conform somewhat to the shape of the articlebeing buffed, but it can be too flexible as in the case of the wheelmade entirely of whole fiat disks unless sewed nearly to the periphery.In my construction the folding in the manner described with sectionsextending completely across from side to side allows for flexibility yeteach fold supports the adjacent fold across the wheel.

The folding also allows for the spreading of the folds and a goodventilation of the wheel from the air currents caused by the speed ofrotation.

Where the wheel is built up with folded whole disks and without anyradial cuts of the fabric there is less raveling and so a longer life ofthe wheel.

The ordinary bufllng or polishing wheel is usually constructed offlexible material woven into fabric and die cut into a disk shape but Ido not limit myselfto any particular material except such as can befolded to provide pockets and sections to extend from one side of awheel to another. It will be understood that more folds could .be formedbeyond a simple W shape but it has practical limitations inmanufacturing on account of the number of sections, the reducedtelescoping area and cost of handling the parts.

The increased pockets and width of wheel desirable is taken care of bythe piling up of the number of disks wanted before folding.

Having thus described my invention, I claim;

1. A buifing wheel composed of a plurality of sections, each of saidsections composed of a disk folded to form a peripheral edge in theshape of a W, telescoping said'sections as Ws to form a wheel wherebythe periphery of each of said sections extends in an unbroken line fromone side of said wheel to the other.

2. A bufling wheel composed of a plurality of sections, each of saidsections formed by radially folding disk to form a continuous peripheraledge in the shape of a W and telescoping said sections as Ws to formawheel.

3. A buffing wheel composed of a plurality of sections. each of saidsections formed of fabric folded with a peripheral edge in the shape ofa W, each of said sections nested as Ws with adjacent sections to form awheel and the peripheral edge of each of said sections extending in anunbroken line from one side of said wheel to the other.

4. A bufllng wheel of built-up construction composed of a plurality ofsections, each of said sections formed from disks folded to sectorshape, each of said sections having a W peripheral edge and uniformlyinterleaved as a W with a preceding and a following section to formcircumferential layers into wheel form, whereby said built-up wheel hasa succession of sectors circumferentially aligned, in radially detachedbut near relation, to form substantially a disk layer for each thicknessof material and whereby each section forms an unbroken peripheral linecompletely across said wheel. I

5. Abuiling wheel in the form of a fiat disk comprising a plurality ofdisk shaped layers of fabric which form said wheel, each of said diskshaped layers composed of a series of sectors radially disposed inindependent but near relation to complete each of said disk shapedlayers, a plurality of sections folded to make a W peripheral edge andinterleaved as Ws with an equal number of overlapping folds of eachsection to form said disk shaped layers and each of said sectionsforming a continuous peripheral edge in a W shape from side to side ofsaid wheel.

6. A buffing wheel comprising a number of thicknesses of materialarranged in layers in the form of a fiat disk, the lateral thickness ofsaid wheel being substantially uniform throughout, each of the severallayers forming a substantially complete disk and said disks assembled inparallel relation to each other to form said wheel, said disks composedof a plurality of folded sector shaped sections each having a Wperipheral edge and said sections arranged about a common center in Woverlapped radial positions, nested as Ws with similar overlappingportions of each section forming the several disk shaped layers of thewheel, and each of said sections forming a continuous corrugated lineacross the periphery of said wheel.

7. A bufling wheel composed of a plurality of sections, each of saidsections formed to sector shape having radial folds and outside layerswith cut edges by folding a radially cut disk first in a direction at anangle to said radial cut and second in the direction of said radial cutand nesting the folds of said section into preceding and followingsections to form said wheel whereby each fold of said section isseparately nested between the legs of a fold of an adjacent section andwhereby the outside layers with cut edges are located on opposite sidesof said wheel.

8. A buffing wheel composed of a plurality of sections, each of saidsections formed of a disk doubled on a diameter to a half disk, saidhalfdisk radially folded in different directions to form a fold on eachradial edge of said section and said sections nested with a fold of oneradial ction in one direction into a fold of an adjacent section andnesting another fold of said adjacent section in another direction intothe fold of the other radial edge of said first section and with onehalf of said doubled diameter on the outside of opposite sides of saidwheel.

9. A bufiing wheel composed of a plurality of sections, each of saidsections formed from a disk, said disk doubled to a half disk, said halfdisk first radially folded to a quarter disk and second the quarter diskradially folded to an eighth disk by folding the doubled edges back onopposite sides of said first radial fold, and nesting said folds intopreceding and following sections to form said wheel whereby the legs ofeach fold of a section enclose a separate fold of an adjacent sectionand the said doubled edges are located on the outside of, and onopposite sides of said wheel.

HAROLD F. L. PFOHL.

